The 2014
Gay Games 9 (GG9), one of the most inclusive gay sports & cultural festivals in the world, kicked off in Cleveland and Akron, Ohio on August 9 with an impressive opening ceremony at Quicken Loans Arena, a premier sports and entertainment facility in Cleveland. The ceremony featured performers such as Lance Bass and the Pointer Sisters, remarks from U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown and his wife, and even a surprise video message from US President Barack Obama.
The opening ceremony marked the start of a week-long celebration of the LGBT community through sport and entertainment. The games will host about 9,000 participants from over 50 countries, with some 20,000 spectators expected at the various events. The cities of Cleveland and Akron will host a total of 35 sports and cultural events.
The six Israeli athletes who arrived to participate in the Games were warmly greeted by the Jewish communities of Cleveland and Akron. The contingent, which was sponsored in part by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, includes Elad Strohmayer, deputy consul general to the mid-Atlantic region, who will participate in the sailing event.
The Israeli contingent got off to a good sporting start, and three athletes have already won medals: the gold medal for the triathlon was won by Barak Gershon, 40, of Tel Aviv, the silver medal was won by Yakir Malul in the 200 m. freestyle swimming event and the bronze medal for the open water swim was won by Sagi Krispin, 38, also of Tel Aviv.
Yakir Malul won the silver medal in the 200 m. freestyle swimming event
With the ongoing conflict in Gaza fresh on their minds, the Israeli athletes gathered at a memorial ceremony on Thursday evening to slain American/Israeli Olympic athlete David Berger at the Jewish Community Center in Cleveland. Berger, a native of Cleveland who had immigrated to Israel, was one of 11 members of the Israeli team killed by Palestinian terrorists in September1972 at the Munich Olympic Games. The memorial features broken rings, commemorating how the Olympic ideal of peace was shattered by terrorism on that day 42 years ago. Then-President Richard Nixon had Berger's body flown home, where it was buried in Mayfield Cemetery in Cleveland.
During the memorial ceremony, attended by 180 people, the athletes and several officials from Israel remembered the 11 killed, reflected on Israel's past and present conflicts, and recognized their freedom to live in the only country in the Middle East in which gays are openly accepted and able to live normal lives.
Barak Gershon, winner of the gold medal for the triathlon event
Deputy Consul General Strohmayer spoke at the ceremony of the difficult times his fellow citizens have faced in recent weeks, noting that 80 percent of the population – a total of 6 million people - has been living under the threat of rocket attacks for over a month. He added that it is the obligation of the Israeli government to protect its people, and expressed his hope that quiet would soon return to the region.
Launched in 1982 and held every four years, the Gay Games invite participation from all athletes—regardless of sexual orientation, race, gender identity, sex, religion, nationality, ethnic origin or political beliefs – and offer a safe environment for LGBT competitors. Open to anyone 18 years or older, the Games draw participants from all over the world, particularly North America, Western Europe, and Australia/New Zealand.